Hong Kong squash star Max Lee tipped to break into world's top 10
Max Lee Ho-yin has the potential to break into the world's top 10 after reaching the highest world ranking ever by a male Hong Kong squash player, said head coach Tony Choi Yuk-kwan.
The 26-year-old has collected two international tour titles this year and a bronze medal at the Incheon Asian Games, but his performance at November's world championships saw him shoot up from 21 to 16 in the world.
Lee reached the third round of the world event before losing to former world champion Amr Shabana of Egypt. His previous high was 20, recorded in September. Hong Kong's previous highest-ranked player was Faheem Khan, originally from Pakistan and now a coach of the Hong Kong team. He reached 21 in 1994.
[Max Lee's] speed and fitness are his strong weapons at the moment but if he can be more consistent in his games, he can certainly move forward and this will only come with more international exposure
"The professional tour is highly competitive, especially in the men's event, and it's not easy for a homegrown talent to reach the top 16 in the world," said Choi.
"Lee first ranked outside the top 300 when he started on the professional tour in 2007 and has gone a long way with a lot of hard work and commitment. He has set a good example for other young talent aspiring to the world's highest level.
"Indeed, our men's team standard has grown stronger with Leo Au achieving 36, also his career high, and up-coming Yip Tsz-fung 83."
The coach says Lee still has the potential to climb further up the ladder.
